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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

Published in:

01-08-2018 | Original Article – Clinical Oncology

End-of-life chemotherapy is associated with poor survival and aggressive care in patients with small cell lung cancer

Authors: Yingming Zhu, Ke Tang, Fen Zhao, Yuanwei Zang, Xiaodong Wang, Zhenxiang Li, Xindong Sun, Jinming Yu

Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology | Issue 8/2018

Abstract

Background

Concerns regarding end-of-life (EOL) chemotherapy are being increasingly raised. Tumor chemosensitivity may influence the decision for aggressive chemotherapy near the EOL. Data on EOL chemotherapy in highly chemosensitive tumors, such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), are scarce.

Method

A total of 143 SCLC decedents were consecutively included. Data about clinical factors and treatment modalities were obtained from the electronic medical records. The relationships among EOL chemotherapy, clinical features, overall survival (OS), and aggressive care were investigated.

Results

About 64% of patients had chemosensitive disease. In total, 30.8 and 16.1% of patients received EOL chemotherapy within the last 1 and 2 months of life, respectively. Younger age was associated with a higher rate of EOL chemotherapy. We determined that EOL chemotherapy was related to inferior OS not only in the entire group, but also in the chemosensitive subgroup. Furthermore, more intensive care was observed among patients who underwent EOL chemotherapy compared with those who did not.

Conclusions

EOL chemotherapy was correlated with shorter survival and more aggressive care in patients with SCLC. More research is needed to develop indications for terminating palliative chemotherapy, to help physicians and patients with their difficult choices.

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Title: End-of-life chemotherapy is associated with poor survival and aggressive care in patients with small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yingming Zhu
Ke Tang
Fen Zhao
Yuanwei Zang
Xiaodong Wang
Zhenxiang Li
Xindong Sun
Jinming Yu
Publication date: 01-08-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology / Issue 8/2018
Print ISSN: 0171-5216
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1335
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-018-2673-x

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End-of-life chemotherapy is associated with poor survival and aggressive care in patients with small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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